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Park W, Jamil MH, Eid M. Alpha interbrain synchrony during mediated interpersonal touch. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300128. [PMID: 38758733 PMCID: PMC11101020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal touch plays a crucial role in human communication, development, and wellness. Mediated interpersonal touch (MIT), a technology to distance or virtually simulated interpersonal touch, has received significant attention to counteract the negative consequences of touch deprivation. Studies investigating the effectiveness of MIT have primarily focused on self-reporting or behavioral correlates. It is largely unknown how MIT affects neural processes such as interbrain functional connectivity during human interactions. Given how users exchange haptic information simultaneously during interpersonal touch, interbrain functional connectivity provides a more ecologically valid way of studying the neural correlates associated with MIT. In this study, a palm squeeze task is designed to examine interbrain synchrony associated with MIT using EEG-based hyperscanning methodology. The phase locking value (PLV) index is used to measure interbrain synchrony. Results demonstrate that MIT elicits a significant increase in alpha interbrain synchronization between participants' brains. Especially, there was a significant difference in the alpha PLV indices between no MIT and MIT conditions in the early stage (130-470 ms) of the interaction period (t-test, p < 0.05). Given the role that alpha interbrain synchrony plays during social interaction, a significant increase in PLV index during MIT interaction seems to indicate an effect of social coordination. The findings and limitations of this study are further discussed, and perspectives on future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjoo Park
- Engineering Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muhammad Hassan Jamil
- Engineering Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamad Eid
- Engineering Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Vasseur D, Ipakchian Askari S, Suijkerbuijk S, Nap HH, IJsselsteijn W. Sensory, Affective, and Social Experiences with Haptic Devices in Intramural Care Practice. NURSING REPORTS 2024; 14:230-253. [PMID: 38391064 PMCID: PMC10885019 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous work has shown that technology can facilitate the communication of emotions, social touch, and social presence through haptic devices, meaning devices that provide a haptic stimulation. However, for special user groups living in long-term care facilities, such as people with dementia, the applications of these haptic devices are not apparent. The aim of this study is to understand how haptic devices can be used in intramural care facilities in times of social isolation, focusing on haptic devices that utilize haptic sensation. Five haptic devices were tested at three care facilities. Insights from this study highlight the potential of haptic devices to enhance sensory, affective, and social experiences during video calling between residents and their relatives. Moreover, the importance of the tactile sensation and form factor of haptic devices in the care context is addressed, along with insights on how to create the appropriate atmosphere during video calling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Vasseur
- Vilans, Centre of Expertise Long-Term Care, P.O. Box 8228, 3503 RE Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sima Ipakchian Askari
- Vilans, Centre of Expertise Long-Term Care, P.O. Box 8228, 3503 RE Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Suijkerbuijk
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Herman Nap
- Vilans, Centre of Expertise Long-Term Care, P.O. Box 8228, 3503 RE Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wijnand IJsselsteijn
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Saini G, Zain M, Noronha M, Bonin RP, Lomanowska AM. Virtually simulated interpersonal touch negatively affects perceived closeness and social affiliation to an avatar partner. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1347. [PMID: 38228629 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51773-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal touch is an essential component of human non-verbal communication, facilitating social affiliation and bonding. With the widespread use of digital interfaces and online platforms in all realms of human interactions, there are fewer opportunities for communicating through touch. Popular online platforms that virtually simulate human interactions rely primarily on visual and auditory modalities, providing limited or no capacity for the exchange of tactile cues. Previous studies of virtual interactions have explored the simulation of social touch using haptic devices, but little is known about how the visual representation of interpersonal touch is perceived and integrated into a virtual social experience. In two studies we examined how the exchange of virtual touch mediated by simulated 3-dimensional human characters, or avatars, within an online virtual environment influenced affiliation towards an unfamiliar interaction partner. Surprisingly, the exchange of virtual touch negatively affected the perceived closeness and affiliation to the partner and the social evaluation of the interaction but did not affect the level of physiological arousal during the interaction. These results indicate that the visual representation of social touch is sufficient to virtually communicate touch-related cues that impact social affiliation, but the influence of touch may be dependent on the interaction context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Saini
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Maham Zain
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Marigrace Noronha
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Robert P Bonin
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Anna M Lomanowska
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
- Transitional Pain Service, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth St., Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
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Huisman G. An Interaction Theory Account of (Mediated) Social Touch. Front Psychol 2022; 13:830193. [PMID: 35592150 PMCID: PMC9110885 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.830193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on mediated social touch (MST) has, either implicitly or explicitly, built on theoretical assumptions regarding social interactions that align with "theory theory" or "simulation theory" of social cognition. However, these approaches struggle to explain MST interactions that occur outside of a laboratory setting. I briefly discuss these approaches and will argue in favor of an alternative, "interaction theory" approach to the study of MST. I make three suggestions for future research to focus on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs Huisman
- Human-Centered Design, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
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